What best describes the GPS Satellites...

Question 1 / 27070KuUaT9LhIFYttk4ISAAB

Question 1 of 27070KuUaT9LhIFYttk4ISAAB

What best describes the GPS Satellites orbits?

Question 1 of 27070

What best describes the GPS Satellites orbits?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) vs geosynchronous orbit vs polar orbit • Typical inclination angle of the GPS constellation relative to the equator • Number of orbital planes in the standard GPS (NAVSTAR) system design

💭 Think About

• First, decide whether GPS satellites must remain fixed over one point on Earth or move relative to the surface, and what kind of orbit that implies. • Compare polar orbits to inclined orbits: does GPS need to pass over the poles or provide global coverage a different way? • Think about how many orbital planes are needed so that several satellites are always visible from any point on Earth.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify whether GPS uses geostationary/geosynchronous or medium Earth orbits. • Check the approximate inclination (is it closer to 55°, 90°, or 0° to the equator?). • Confirm the number of orbital planes in the standard GPS constellation design (six, four, or eight).

Question 1 of 27070

What best describes the GPS Satellites orbits?

They are in six orbital planes equally spaced and inclined about 55 degrees to the equator.

They are in four orbital planes spaced 90 degrees in a polar orbit.

They are in a geosynchronous orbit equally spaced around the equator.

They are in eight orbital planes at an altitude of approximately 1,000 miles.

Question 1 / 27070KuUaT9LhIFYttk4ISAAB

Question 1 of 27070KuUaT9LhIFYttk4ISAAB

What best describes the GPS Satellites orbits?

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Question 1 of 27070

What best describes the GPS Satellites orbits?